Balkan Pact of AllianceThe two Governments base their action on the fact that the
maintenance and guarantee of a lasting peace between their
countries is an essential pre-requisite for the general peace of
Europe.
They have therefore decided to base their mutual relations
on the principles laid down in the Pact of Paris of the 17th
August, 1928, and propose to define more exactly the applica-
tion of these principles in so far as the relations between Ger-
many and Poland are concerned.
Each of the two Governments, therefore, lays it down that
the international obligations undertaken by it towards a third
party do not hinder the peaceful development of their mutual
relations, do not conflict with the present declaration, and are
not affected by this declaration. They establish, moreover, that
this declaration does not extend to those questions which under
international law are to be regarded exclusively as the internal
concern of either of the two States.
Both Governments announce their intention to settle
directly all questions of whatever sort which concern their
mutual relations.
Should any disputes arise between them and agreement
thereon not be reached by direct negotiation, they will, in each
particular case, on the basis of mutual agreement, seek a solu-
tion by other peaceful means, without prejudice to the possibil-
ity of applying, if necessary, those methods of procedure in
which provision is made for such cases in other agreements in
force between them. In no circumstances, however, will they
proceed to the application of force for the purpose of reaching a
decision in such disputes.
The guarantee of peace created by these principles will facili-
tate the great task of both Governments of finding a solution
for problems of political, economic and social kinds, based on a
just and fair adjustment of the interests of both parties.
Both Governments are convinced that the relations between
their countries will in this manner develop fruitfully, and will
lead to the establishment of a neighbourly relationship which
will contribute to the well-being not only of both their coun-
tries, but of the other peoples of Europe as well.
The present declaration shall be ratified, and the instruments
of ratification shall be exchanged in Warsaw as soon as possible.
The declaration is valid for a period of ten years, reckoned
from the day of the exchange of the instruments of ratification.
If the declaration is not denounced by one of the two Gov-
ernments six months before the expiration of this period, it will
continue in force, but can then be denounced by either Govern-
ment at any time on notice of six months being given. Made in
duplicate in the German and Polish languages.
Berlin, January 26, 1934.
For the German Government:
FREIHERR VON NEURATH.
For the Polish Government:
JOZEF LIPSKI.
4.1278 Balkan Pact of Alliance
Alliance Members:Yugoslavia, Greece, Romania, and Turkey
Signed On:February 9, 1934, in the city of Athens. In force until
October 28, 1940.
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type II)
Source:League of Nations Treaty Series,vol. 153, p. 155.SUMMARY
This Balkan Entente combined several bilateral treaty commitments
into one multilateral defense pact that guaranteed the territorial status
quo in the Balkans. Any state attempting to alter the status quo in the
region would be considered an aggressor by the alliance signatories.
Notably absent from the pact was Bulgaria, which still harbored terri-
torial ambitions regarding Macedonia and western Thrace. Combined
with Turkey’s support for the League of Nations and the movement of
its foreign policy in line with Western powers such as France and
Britain, the pact signified Turkish rapprochement with Europe and a
commitment to peace in the Balkans.
The defense pact lasted for just over six years; it ended when Italy
invaded Greece through Albania. Greece’s allies failed to provide aid,
effectively disbanding the alliance.Alliance Text
The President of the Hellenic Republic, His Majesty the King of
Roumania, the President of the Turkish Republic, and His
Majesty the King of Yugoslavia, being desirous of contributing
to the consolidation of peace in the Balkans;
Animated by the spirit of understanding and conciliation
which inspired the drawing-up of the Briand-Kellogg Pact and
the decisions of the Assembly of the League of Nations in rela-
tion thereto;
Firmly resolved to ensure the observance of the contractual
obligations already in existence and the maintenance of the ter-
ritorial situation in the Balkans as at present established;
Have resolved to conclude a “Pact of Balkan Entente”
And to that end have designated their respective Plenipoten-
tiaries, to wit:
The President of the Hellenic Republic: His Excellency
Monsieur Demetre Maximos, Minister for Foreign Affairs;
His Majesty the King of Roumania: His Excellency Mon-
sieur Nicolas Titulescu, Minister for Foreign Affairs;
The President of the Turkish Republic: His Excellency
Monsieur Tevfik Rüstü Bey, Minister for Foreign Affairs;
His Majesty the King of Yugoslavia: His Excellency Mon-
sieur Bogolioub Jevtitch, Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Who, having exchanged their full powers, found in good and
due form, have agreed upon the following provisions:
Article 1. Greece, Roumania, Turkey and Yugoslavia mutu-
ally guarantee the security of each and all of their Balkan fron-
tiers.
Article 2. The High Contracting Parties undertake to concert
together in regard to the measures to be taken in contingencies
liable to affect their interests as defined by the present Agree-
ment. They undertake not to embark upon any political action